Nonprofit making February a month for community

New Genesis, New Beginning is partnering with the community to help people in need

George Bozemen of New Genesis, New Beginning, along with local businesses in the area, are honoring Black History Month with February Love Month.

For three weeks in February, boxes will be placed at three different locations to collect donations for the United Way, Meals on Wheels and The Salvation Army.

"We were just asked to show a day of love on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but why just one day? Let's go a whole month and show love for one another. Let's make February a love month," said George Bozeman, founder of New Genesis, New Beginning, a nonprofit organization based in Newport News that helps people in the community.

The idea for February Love Month was a joint one between Bozeman and Chad Miller, a minister with the Billy Graham Evangelical Association in North Carolina.

Meals on Wheels and the United Way are looking for donations, either by check or money order. People making donations this way can designate which branch of Meals on Wheels or United Way they would like their donations to go to, either on the Southside or the Peninsula.

The Salvation Army is asking for food and clothing. Donations made at the Newport News YMCA will go to the Peninsula branch, and those made at the two Virginia Beach locations will help the Southside branch of The Salvation Army.

"It's so easy to help and make a difference," Bozeman said. "Just find that one article of clothing you can't wear anymore and bring it in. If you can't find clothing, then bring a nonperishable food item."

Meals on Wheels is in need of help more than usual this year because of all the snow the area has seen, Bozeman said. The weather prevented them from making deliveries, and as a result, hurt their budget, he said.

"Our whole goal with this, as with any project New Genesis, New Beginning does, is to help people that cannot help themselves."

Theresa Wilson, membership director at the Newport News Family YMCA, partnered with the group to help serve Thanksgiving meals and said she is looking forward to stepping in and helping again.

"This is a very easy task to help with, and another opportunity for us to reach out to the community, which is what the YMCA is all about," said Wilson.